Schumer: FAA might transfer nearly 100 NY airport-related jobs

Monday

Jan 28, 2008 at 8:46 AM

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday the Federal Aviation Administration was considering transferring nearly 100 engineering jobs for the region's three major airports to Atlanta within months.

The Democratic lawmaker criticized any planned transfer, saying such jobs are crucial to installing new technology to improve safety and reduce delays. The possible transfer of jobs at the FAA's eastern regional office in Jamaica is part of the agency's nationwide consolidation plan, Schumer said.

"While I share the FAA's commitment to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel throughout the United States, I'm concerned that the FAA's consolidation plans could compromise air travel safety and reduce the efficiency of the services performed by the regional offices," Schumer said in a statement.

"Safe and efficient air travel requires engineering and support services that are accessible and convenient for the airports and air travelers that rely on them," the senator added.

FAA spokesman Jim Peters said Sunday "there's been no official announcement, or plans, that additional staff will be transferred to the FAA's southern region."

Schumer said the engineers in New York have "unique knowledge" of the region's airspace.

Last year was one of the worst on record for flight delays and safety at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark (N.J.) Liberty International airports, Schumer said.

The senator has been urging the FAA to expedite the installation of the latest anti-collision technology at the three airports since a plane taxied onto a runway where another was about to land at Newark in December. The FAA was investigating the incident, called an incursion.

The surface detection equipment technology, known as ASDE-X, alerts air traffic controllers to potential collisions within 5 miles of an airport, including on runways. Kennedy is scheduled to receive it in August, Newark in July 2009 and LaGuardia in December 2010.